Lowell/Red/Hamptons chasing for O2

marshun

Back in mid 2006 I was sold a mobile phone through Phones 4 U on the O2 network. In 2007 I defaulted by cancelling the DD from my bank. I heard nothing until last week.

Now I accept I'm responsible for this debt and that it will not just go away.

So having read the letter from Hamptons offering me 50% off the £459 debt as long as I pay within 10 days in one payment.

My question is how do I get a guarantee from them that the remainder will be written off and it will be marked as satisfied on my credit report?

I'm looking for the correct wording to put in a letter.

I did this once before several years ago for a capital one card (before I knew about claiming back charges) and the DCA honoured it but did not as requested send me a receipt for the transaction.

The letter arrive on Friday 13th August (no I'm not superstitious!)
Any help greatly appreciated.

Marshun

PNPSUKNET

what is the exact wording in their letter?

marshun

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

what is the exact wording in their letter?

9th August 2010

Dear Sir

Avoiding legal action against you
You have not arranged a payment plan, despite our previous letter.

As previously advised we have assessed your financial means and will look to the Courts if necessary to ensure the debt is repaid.

We can now apply to court for a County Court Judgement (CCJ) and if we are granted a CCJ and you do not repay we can then apply to have it enforced. We could then apply tol;

* instruct bailiffs to remove goods from your home, or
* recover money you owe by making deductions directly from your earnings, or
* collect the balance straight from your bank.

If we take court action and it is successful, you would also have to pay court costs and any interest accrued.

To prevent court action we would like to offer you a discount on your balance to end this matter amicably;

* pay 50% of the balance, which is £229.66, to settle the account; or
* pay £40 a month until you have paid off your balance.

If you contact us about settlement of your account within the next ten days, you will avoid legal proceedings. Once you have paid, your credit report will be marked satisfied if applicable.

Call 0844 844 4720 to stop our legal proceedings going ahead.

Yours faithfully

Stephen Hunter
Director of Legal Services

Seems good to me but I want clarification.


As to their threats I don't believe they have the authority to instruct bailiffs or if they do, their bailiffs don't have authority to remove goods.

It would be hard for them to make deductions directly from my earnings since I'm self employed.

I don't believe they can deduct money from my bank account(s) either.

If the above threats are baseless isn't that an offence on their part?

It should be noted that my credit score (according to Experian) is actually quite reasonable and I would like to keep it that way.

PNPSUKNET

Seems ok as it does say to settle the account. Just keep the letter

mcjordi

same letter i received for my 3g mobile account.. except mines 70 owed 35 settlement..

i think they are trying to shift some of the older accounts

marshun

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

Seems ok as it does say to settle the account. Just keep the letter

If noone else has any further input then I think I will phone them tomorrow after I check this thread and take them up on it.

Thanks PNPSUKNET :beer:

marshun

Well I phoned them and they we're trying to get me to pay all of it. I stuck to my guns and told them I would pay 50% of total. They then tried to say that was the first of two payments. I told them that as per their letter I would be willing to pay 50% to settle the account in full.
Eventually they agreed and after keeping me on hold for a while to get authorisation (I think the girl was training) they confirmed 50% one off, close the account and mark my credit report as satisfied.
They gave me an authorisation number. I asked for a call reference number and they told me all they had was the authorisation number.
I asked for the girls name and extension just to be sure. They promised to send me a confirmation letter within 10 days.

So we'll see what happens!

marshun

I got the letter last week. Still no update on my credit report though.